Spinal injury fears for teen forward

The second half substitute, pictured, was hurt with nine minutes to go of Tuesday night's EVO-STIK League South fixture at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field and transferred by ambulance to Peterborough Hospital after being treated on the pitch for nearly half an hour by Tulips physio Richard Storey and the EVO-STIK League South club's U21s medic Jamie-Lee Mitchell.

They were helped by midfielder Matthew Varley who acted as human neck brace for his teammate while they waited for medics to arrive and all three were praised by Rawlinson soon after Lockie was taken away by ambulance.

The Tulips boss said: "Jonny seemed to be okay but with spinal and neck injuries you never know and we are hoping for the best. He couldn't be moved because of the injury but was well looked by our team while we waited for the ambulance and hopefully we'll have positive news."

Officials at the Lincolnshire club thanked the many well-wishers who were continuing to wish the 18-year-old a speedy recovery on social media in the aftermath of the incident. They included Frickley Athletic manager Spencer Fearn whose side were leading 2-0 when the match was abandoned soon after he was hurt on 81 minutes.

@SpaldingUnited tweeted: "On behalf of young @JL07_ thanks for all the goodwill messages this evening; we’ll post news as/when we have it once more is known. For now, our love, prayers & best wishes to Jonny & all his family/friends..."

Nearly 19-years-old, local boy Lockie is in his third season with Tulips after signing as a 16-year-old and quickly breaking into the first team before earning trials at both Burton Albion and Leicester City in 2016.

Images courtesy of @SpaldingUnited

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